New York Designer Partners with Denim Brand for Sustainable Capsule Collection
A chance introduction through a mutual friend sparked an innovative partnership between New York-based fashion designer Maria McManus and Agolde CEO Amy Williams. Their immediate connection over shared industry principles, mutual acquaintances, and cultural values quickly revealed complementary business opportunities. McManus operates a sustainability-focused label known for sophisticated yet contemporary ready-to-wear designs, while Agolde has established itself as a fashion industry favorite specializing in environmentally conscious denim production.
The collaboration addressed specific challenges each brand faced independently. McManus had long desired to expand into denim manufacturing but lacked the necessary infrastructure to produce jeans sustainably while maintaining her aesthetic standards. Conversely, Agolde possessed exactly this capability and sought to broaden their offerings beyond denim into ready-to-wear apparel. The partnership represented a natural solution that would benefit both companies.
This past weekend marked the debut of their joint 16-piece capsule collection, built on shared principles of thoughtful design and environmental responsibility. The denim offerings span from casual wide-leg styles to ultra-high-waisted designs featuring coordinating belts, plus sophisticated knee-length shorts with a relaxed fit. The collection extends beyond traditional jeans to include oversized cotton and denim shirts, a flowing circle skirt, and a structured denim field jacket.
According to McManus, the collection represents a carefully curated selection without unnecessary additions, featuring essential pieces like an exceptional jacket, coat, jeans, and skirt. The color range encompasses classic denim washes including pale indigo, crisp white cotton, and washed black, alongside a distinctive washed pale pink shade.
The capsule made its first appearance during McManus’s Spring 2026 runway presentation, styled alongside her seasonal ready-to-wear pieces. Many silhouettes derive from the designer’s established pattern library, updated with new materials provided by Agolde’s expertise. The field jacket exemplifies this approach, taking McManus’s longtime favorite design and reimagining it in washed pale indigo denim featuring a recycled leather collar.
McManus emphasized the intentional approach of adapting existing patterns rather than creating entirely new designs. She noted that pattern development requires significant investment, making it more sustainable to rework proven silhouettes with fresh fabrications. This strategy also addresses the fashion industry’s tendency toward wasteful practices of completely reinventing collections each season.
The collection utilizes regenerative cotton sourced from Agolde’s partner farms and features Eco-Indigo dyeing, a low-impact process the brand developed in 2025 that earned recognition as one of Time magazine’s Best Inventions. Agolde creative director Karen Phelps highlighted how the pieces balance sustainability with exceptional softness, achieved through fabrics woven with Tencel for superior hand feel.
McManus explained that her company currently lacks resources for the specialized washing processes that consume significant water and chemicals in denim production. While her brand can produce organic denim with relatively clean washing, creating authentic five-pocket indigo jeans sustainably remains challenging. For Agolde, such sustainable practices represent core business operations extending to every component, including thread and trim selections.
The partnership aims to demonstrate that sustainable production is achievable for profitable fashion companies while encouraging other brands to adopt similar practices. Both companies view the collaboration as proof that environmental responsibility and commercial success can coexist in the fashion industry.
The capsule collection is now available for purchase through Net-a-Porter, Agolde’s website, and Maria McManus’s online store.